Gladys E. Widlowski

With grace, dignity, and the love of her family surrounding her, Gladys Widlowski, wife and sweetheart of Gene for 59 years, met her Savior on August 3, 2015. She was the baby of her nuclear family and was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers, and her parents, Margaret and Andrew.

From age five until seventeen, Gladys and her mother traveled all over the US in the northeast and Midwest, and Canada while attending folk dance festivals with competitions. Gladys was an accomplished folk dancer and always kept the belief in “keeping a body in motion”. Pictures and video interviews tell the story of over 90 medals, mostly first and second places, and two trophies. During that time, her father got a job in Chicago and the family relocated to where she was educated and attended Bowen High School. For many years as part of the annual “Christmas Around the World” exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago), Gladys would perform the beautiful Scottish folk dances, dancing in an authentic kilt which the family still possesses.

After short stays in California and Florida, Gladys returned to Chicago with her firstborn, Linda (Michael). In January 1957, while working as a secretary in the office of a car dealership, she met and fell for Gene Widlowski, who worked in the shop. “He was a gentleman and my prince” was the sentiment Gladys stated when describing why she fell for her life partner. Six months later they wed and the union produced three children – Gloria (Brad), Larry, Rhonda (Richard). Gladys cared for and adored her four grandchildren, Jesse (Gloria), Krystyna (Larry), Christopher (Larry), and Eryka (Rhonda). She also was blessed with two great grandchildren, Madison (Jesse) and Reagan (Christopher).

Gene and Gladys lead their family on an adventurous life. As Gene achieved success, Gladys was the “CEO” of the house, all of them! After eight moves throughout their lives together, Gladys’ experiences helped her children adjust to each new home and look at it as an adventure. She always looked for ways to grow, learning to drive at age 29, becoming a seaman’s mate when Gene bought a sailboat, learning to golf when they joined the country club, quilting, crocheting, and countless others up until her body was attacked by cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

Upon retirement, Gladys and Gene found what she always described as “her little piece of heaven on earth” in Hot Springs Village. She found a community at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the golf community, and she volunteered at the McAuley Center helping the older residents of “the Village”. Her family spent many happy hours making memories at this lake spot for 18 years and now send her to her Creator from here.

All donations and remembrances should be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38138, to help find a cure for leukemia.